Preserve Reasonable Shoreline Management: Alleged violations of Chapter 42.17A RCW for failure to register as a political committee, report contributions and expenditures, and disclose sponsor identification on political advertising (EY 19; July 19)

Case

#55265

Respondent

Preserve Reasonable Shoreline Management

Complainant

Michael Kelly

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on July 18, 2019. Your complaint alleged that Preserve Reasonable Shoreline Management (PRSM), a 501 (c )(3) organization created by Bainbridge Island shoreline homeowners, may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.205 or .207 for failure to register as a political committee or incidental committee; (2) RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing contributions and expenditures; and (3) RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to disclose sponsor identification on political advertising.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; and the response provided by Dick Haugan on behalf of PRSM, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Staff’s review found that PRSM receives contributions and makes expenditures to support the mission of Bainbridge Island Shoreline Homeowners and that their activities do not appear to meet the definition of a political committee or incidental committee requiring them to register and report as either.

In addition, staff found that that the email communication was sent to specific recipients identified as supporters of PRSM and not “mass communication” that would make the message political advertisement requiring sponsor identification and disclosure.

Based on these findings staff has determined that, in this instance, no evidence supports a finding of a violation warranting further investigation.

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

July 26, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.207, RCW 42.17A.235

Documents

• 55265 Preserve Reasonable Shoreline Management Dismissal Letter.pdf
• 55265 Preserve Reasonable Shoreline Management Response.pdf
• 55265 Preserve Reasonable Shoreline Management Complaint.pdf